problem...cant find a flexplate...

[V]

I have looked everywhere and so far i still cant find a flexplate for my 383. Â*I need one for a 1955-1985 2 piece rear main seal engine, with 3.58" center diameter, 153 tooth, and externally balanced. Â*I only found 153 flexplates for internally balanced and only 168 for externally.

i have 3 options...
keep looking for a 153 tooth flexplate for my stroker possibly gte one custom made
or..
just switch to a 168 tooth flexplate and get a new starter.
or..
I can buy a balancer plate for like $20 that bolts between the crank and the 153t 350 fleplate, but i dunno about that

I have a powermaster XS torque master starter already for a 153 tooth flexplate so thats why i want a 153, if i go 168, id need to buy another $210 starter. ah i'll see.

[Ian]

the only flywheel I have is for an internally balanced engine, sorry man.

[camaro2you]

since were on this topic will my flywheel from my 86 block work on my 350, it was used from 69-80.

[The Fixer]

Originally Posted by camaro2you

since were on this topic will my flywheel from my 86 block work on my 350, it was used from 69-80.

Nope, '86-newer SBC's have a 1-piece rear main seal, while '85-lower are 2 piece. Different flexplates.

[camaro2you]

Originally Posted by TPI Monte SS

Nope, '86-newer SBC's have a 1-piece rear main seal, while '85-lower are 2 piece. Different flexplates.

ok thanks,well if its off to search jegs.

[Ian]

[/hijack]

did you try looking in the junk yards for anything that might have a 400 block? I dont think any 350's were externally balanced.

[V]

yeah, flywheels/flexplates from 86-up have a 3.00" center opening and are counterbalanced, whereas pre 86 flywheels/flexplates are neutral balanced and have a 3.58" center opening. sbc all used neautral balanced except for the sbc 400 motors, as many people know when you build a stroker, you can use a 400 crank or a 383 special stroker crank. with the stroker crank its internally balanced, and the 400 crank needs to be externally balanced, i have a the externally balanced harmonic balancer whioch i bought new from GM listed for for a 1970 impala with a 400sbc, but no sbc400 came with a 153t flywheel/flexplate. I know many people have done a 383 buildup and im sure someone makes a 153t flexplate. i spent weeks trying to find a flywheel back in 2000 when i first built the motor and just had to weld a weight from a 168 onto my 153t flywheel.

[Ian]

well, if the 153 flywheel is neutral balanced, then couldnt you just take the flywheel, crank and balancer to a machine shop and get them all balanced?

And if it were me, I wouldn't weld a weight from one flexplate on to the other. the position has to be perfect and the weld will throw the weight off. its almost impossible to get it perfect. improperly balanced rotating assembly=early grave or that engine.